The Great Backyard Bird Count starts today, February 12, and runs through Monday, February 15. Participate by counting birds for at least 15 minutes in your backyard or someplace else and submit your observations to the GBBC website.

Obama will designate three new national monuments in California to protect desert landscapes with unique habitats and archaeological features. In addition, the new monuments will connect existing protected areas to preserve wildlife corridors and allow species to adapt to climate change.